by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

DENVER â?? Washington Redskins doctors cleared quarterback Robert Griffin III to return to the field in Sunday's 45-21 loss to the Denver Broncos, but coaches decided to keep their quarterback on the sideline in a game that was already out of hand.

Griffin had his left knee examined after he took a vicious, but clean, hit from 335-pound Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton late in the fourth quarter. Griffin spent several moments hunched over on the grass at Sports Authority Field at Mile High before walking slowly to the sidelines.

"I think it just scared me," Griffin said.

The left knee is not the knee Griffin had surgically repaired in January. Griffin spent the offseason rehabbing his right knee and will wear a protective brace on that knee all season.

The Redskins were trailing by 17 points, at 38-21, when Griffin was injured.

"I think he's fine," Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said. "Doctors felt like he could have went back in."

Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins replaced Griffin for Washington's final two possessions, and threw two interceptions â?? including one that was returned 75 yards for a touchdown.

Griffin was walking after the game without a noticeable limp. Griffin said he was involved in discussions to keep him from returning to the game.

"We decided it was smart to just keep me off the field and be ready to go next week," Griffin said.